Football - Swansea v Bournemouth preview
Swansea v Bournemouth preview
Swansea City manager Garry Monk has refused to label his team's Barclays Premier League home match against AFC Bournemouth as a must-win encounter.
Since August's impressive 2-1 win over Manchester United, Swansea have won just one match from nine in all competitions. Third-bottom AFC Bournemouth would close to within two points of the Swans with victory at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday, but Monk insists his squad remains united.
"I will let others say if it is must win; we just want to win it," he said. "It's a big game, at home, we have to be proud and come off saying we have given everything. "In terms of my rapport with the club, I'm aware things need to improve, but we have always stuck together and that gives you confidence moving forward.
"I had criticism as a player, but it's more difficult as a manger. You take it personally because you are protecting people. "But it won't take over my focus. I'm reflecting on what worked and what you need to tweak moving forward. That's my job."
Since netting the winner against Man Utd, striker Bafetimbi Gomis has failed to find the net but Monk – who at least boasts a clean bill of health heading into the contest – believes it is unfair to single out the Frenchman. "Okay, he's a striker and you want goals, but this is a collective," the former Swansea defender said. "The reaction in training is that none of us are happy with not winning games. The commitment is there to put things right."
The Cherries find themselves in the midst of a similarly barren spell, without a win since beating Sunderland in September and having lost their past four top-flight matches. Nevertheless, manager Eddie Howe expects an attractive encounter between two sides who prefer an expansive footballing approach.
"I have long been an admirer of Swansea's philosophy and how they play the game," he said. "Their story very much mirrors ours in terms of their journey from League Two to the Premier League; they've done it in real style."
Sylvain Distin is set to make his 450th BPL start in the match, the most by a non-UK outfield player, and Howe was full of praise for the 37-year-old Frenchman. "It's a huge testament to the way that Sylvain has looked after his body," he added. "I've not seen a better professional; everything he does is spot-on, so full credit to him."
Captain Tommy Elphick (ankle), Callum Wilson, Tyrone Mings and Max Gradel (all knee) remain long-term absentees for the south-coast club.
Swansea (from): Fabianski, Nordfeldt, Tremmel, Alfei, Amat, Bartley, Fernandez, Naughton, Rangel, Tabanou, Taylor, Williams, Ayew, Britton, Cork, Fulton, Grimes, Ki, Lucas, Montero, Routledge, Shelvey, Sigurdsson, Barrow, Eder, Emnes, Gomis.
AFC Bournemouth (from): Allsop, Boruc, Federici, Bennett, Cargill, Cook, Costa, Daniels, Distin, Francis, Smith, Ward Arter, Andrade, Gosling, MacDonald, O'Kane, Pugh, Ritchie, Stanislas, Surman, Kermorgant, King, Murray, Rantie, Tomlin.
Match Appointments
Referee: Andre Marriner Assistants: M Mullarkey, J Brooks Fourth Official: P Bankes